Low-power device method

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling power on a low-power device and the low-power device for performing the method are provided. The method includes performing a first operation, of acquiring sensing data, using power stored in an internal battery of the low-power device, wherein the first operation consumes a first power consumption from the internal battery; and performing a second operation, with respect to the acquired sensing data, and which consumes a second power consumption, using power wirelessly transmitted from an external device located outside of the low-power device, wherein the second power consumption is greater than the first power consumption.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(a) of KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2017-0123487, filed on Sep. 25, 2017, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The following description relates to a low-power device and method.

2. Description of Related Art

Recently, due to an increase in the efficiency in wireless powertransmission technology, wireless power transmission technology is beingused in various fields. For example, wireless power transmissiontechnology is applied to a nerve stimulator designed to be inserted intoa human body; however, in this example, frequent surgeries are performeddue discharged batteries of the nerve stimulator. Also, because energyis lost when the battery of the nerve stimulator is charged using thewireless power transmission technology, the total energy efficiency isnot high.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

In one general aspect, a method of controlling power on a low-powerdevice includes performing a first operation, of acquiring sensing data,using power stored in an internal battery of the low-power device,wherein the first operation consumes a first power consumption from theinternal battery; and performing a second operation, with respect to theacquired sensing data, and which consumes a second power consumption,using power wirelessly transmitted from an external device locatedoutside of the low-power device, wherein the second power consumption isgreater than the first power consumption.

The sensing data may include a neural signal of a user. The performingof the second operation may include, in response to a stimulus signalbeing determined to be output to the user based on the neural signal,outputting the stimulus signal generated using the power wirelesslytransmitted from the external device.

The stimulus signal may be generated independently of the power storedin the internal battery.

The performing of the second operation may include storing the powerwirelessly transmitted from the external device in a super capacitor,and outputting the stimulus signal generated using the power stored inthe super capacitor in response to the power stored in the supercapacitor exceeding a predetermined power threshold.

The method may further include, in response to the stimulus signal beingdetermined to be output to the user based on the neural signal,transmitting a request for wireless power transmission to the externaldevice via a wireless communication.

In response to the request for wireless power transmission beingreceived from the low-power device, the external device may provide theuser with a message to position the external device in proximity to thelow-power device.

The low-power device may be anatomically implanted in the user.

The sensing data may include measurement data for an environment inwhich the low-power device is located. The performing of the secondoperation may include transmitting the measurement data to the externaldevice using the power wirelessly transmitted from the external device.

The performing of the second operation may include storing the powerwirelessly transmitted from the external device in a super capacitor,and transmitting the measurement data to the external device using thepower stored in the super capacitor in response to the power stored inthe super capacitor exceeding a predetermined power threshold.

The performing of the second operation may include, in response to powerbeing wirelessly received from the external device or power togetherwith a request for the measurement data being wirelessly received fromthe external device, transmitting the measurement data to the externaldevice.

In another general aspect, a low-power device includes a processorconfigured to: perform a first operation, of acquiring sensing data,using a sensor that operates using power stored in an internal batteryof the low-power device, wherein the first operation consumes a firstpower consumption from the internal battery; and instruct the low-powerdevice to perform a second operation, with respect to the acquiredsensing data, and which consumes a second power consumption using powerwirelessly transmitted from an external device located outside of thelow-power device, wherein the second power consumption is greater thanthe first power consumption.

The sensing data may include a neural signal of a user. The processormay be further configured to determine, based on the neural signal,whether to generate a stimulus signal to the user. Dependent on a resultof the determine, the processor may be further configured to instructthe low-power device to output the stimulus signal generated using thepower wirelessly transmitted from the external device, and in responseto a stimulus signal being determined to be output to the user based onthe neural signal, the processor may be further configured to instructthe low-power device to output the stimulus signal generated using thepower wirelessly transmitted from the external device.

The stimulus signal may be generated independent of the power stored inthe internal battery.

The low-power device may further include a super capacitor configured tostore the power wirelessly transmitted from the external device,wherein, in response to the power stored in the super capacitorexceeding a predetermined power threshold, the processor is furtherconfigured to instruct the low-power device to output the stimulussignal generated using the power stored in the super capacitor.

In response to the stimulus signal being determined to be output to theuser based on the neural signal, the processor may be further configuredto transmit a request for wireless power transmission to the externaldevice via a wireless communication.

The low-power device may be anatomically implanted in the user.

The sensing data may include measurement data for an environment inwhich the low-power device is located, and the processor may be furtherconfigured to instruct the low-power device to transmit the measurementdata to the external device using the power wirelessly transmitted fromthe external device.

The low-power device may further include a memory configured to storeinstructions. The processor may be further configured to execute theinstructions to configure the processor to: perform the first operation,of acquiring sensing data, using the sensor that operates using powerstored in the internal battery of the low-power device, wherein thefirst operation consumes the first power consumption from the internalbattery; and instruct the low-power device to perform the secondoperation, with respect to the acquired sensing data, and which consumesthe second power consumption using power wirelessly transmitted from theexternal device located outside of the low-power device, wherein thesecond power consumption is greater than the first power consumption.

In another general aspect, a low-power device includes a processorconfigured to: perform operations, having respective power consumptionsless than or equal to a power threshold value, using an internal batteryof the low-power device; and perform any of the operations havingrespective power consumptions greater than the power threshold usingpower wirelessly transmitted from an external device external to thelow-power device.

The operations may include acquiring a neural signal from a user andgenerating a stimulus signal to the user.

Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detaileddescription, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a low-power device and anexternal device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a low-power deviceand an external device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operating method of alow-power device corresponding to a medical device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a low-power deviceand an external device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controllingpower on a low-power device.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwisedescribed or provided, the same drawing reference numerals will beunderstood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. Thedrawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, anddepiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity,illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader ingaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses,and/or systems described herein. However, various changes,modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/orsystems described herein will be apparent after an understanding of thedisclosure of this application. For example, the sequences of operationsdescribed herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those setforth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent after anunderstanding of the disclosure of this application, with the exceptionof operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also,descriptions of features that are known in the art may be omitted forincreased clarity and conciseness.

The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, andare not to be construed as being limited to the examples describedherein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided merelyto illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing themethods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein that will beapparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application.

The following specific structural or functional descriptions areexemplary to merely describe the examples, and the scope of the examplesis not limited to the descriptions provided in the presentspecification. Various changes and modifications can be made thereto bythose of ordinary skill in the art.

Although terms of “first” or “second” are used to explain variouscomponents, the components are not limited to the terms. These termsshould be used only to distinguish one component from another component.For example, a “first” component may be referred to as a “second”component, or similarly, and the “second” component may be referred toas the “first” component within the scope of the right according to theconcept of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being“connected to” another component, the component can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other component or intervening componentsmay be present.

The terminology used herein is for describing various examples only, andis not to be used to limit the disclosure. The articles “a,” “an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes,”and “has” specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations,members, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations,members, elements, and/or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all terms used herein includingtechnical or scientific terms have the same meanings as those generallyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the presentdisclosure. Terms defined in dictionaries generally used should beconstrued to have meanings matching with contextual meanings in therelated art and the present disclosure, and are not to be construed asan ideal or excessively formal meaning unless otherwise defined herein.

Hereinafter, examples will be described in detail below with referenceto the accompanying drawings, and like reference numerals refer to thelike elements throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a low-power device 110 and an externaldevice 120.

The low-power device 110 is configured to operate using power stored inan internal battery and using power wirelessly transmitted from theexternal device 120. For example, the low-power device 110 includespower storage and supply hardware for providing power to performoperations, as well as wireless power receiving hardware configured toreceive the wirelessly transmitted power and supply the same for use bythe low-power device 110 for performing the same or other operations.For example, operations of the low-power device 110 that arepredetermined to consume less power, e.g., less than at least onethreshold, may be selectively performed using power from either, both,or only one of the internal battery and the wirelessly transmittedpower. Likewise, operations of the low-power device 110 that arepredetermined to consume more power, e.g., greater than such at leastone threshold or other thresholds, may be selectively performed usingpower from either, both, or only one of the internal battery and thewirelessly transmitted power. In another example, such operations of thelow-power device 110 that are predetermined to consume the less powermay be performed using only the internal battery or may be performedusing the internal battery and/or the wirelessly transmitted power(e.g., if in receipt at the time of the operation), while thoseoperations that consumes the example more power may be performed usingonly the power wirelessly transmitted from the external device 120.

However, when the low-power device 110 performs an operation thatconsumes the example more power using only the power stored in theinternal battery, the life of the internal battery may rapidlydeteriorate, such as due to an inadequate nominal discharge currentrating of the internal battery and/or the frequency of discharge of theinternal battery. Rather, when the low-power device 110 performs anoperation that consumes the example less power using only the powerstored in the internal battery, the life of the internal battery may notrapidly deteriorate. Accordingly, in another example, while operationsthat consume less power may be performed using only the power stored inthe internal battery, such as being predetermined to always be performedusing only the power stored in the internal battery or when wirelesstransmitted power is not otherwise currently being received by thelow-power device 110, those operations that are determined orpredetermined to consume more power may be performed only using powerwirelessly transmitted from the external device 120, e.g., requiring awireless power transfer to be requested or initiated and power receivedbefore performing the more power consuming operations or requiring suchmore power operations to be performed upon receipt of wirelesslytransmitted power. Thus, by differentiating between which operations maybe performed depending on predetermined assigned power sources or whatpower sources are available, such as by limiting the more powerconsuming operations to only being performed using the wirelesslytransmitted power, the number of times an internal battery is rechargedmay be reduced or minimized, which may increase or maximize the life ofthe internal battery. Further, such differentiating of which operationsare performed may enhance the efficiency of the end-to-end wirelesspower transmission between the low-power device 110 and the externaldevice(s) 120.

In an example, the low-power device 110 is a medical device (forexample, a nerve stimulator) implanted in a body of a user. Thelow-power device 110 acquires a biological signal e.g., a neural signalof a user, and determines whether an application of a stimulus to thebody of the user is determined required based on the neural signal. Whenthe stimulus is required, the low-power device 110 generates a stimulussignal and outputs the stimulus signal to the user, e.g., to surroundingor electrically connected tissue.

In this example, a small amount of power (for example, tens ofmicrowatts (M)) is consumed by an operation that acquires the neuralsignal and determines whether the stimulus is required based on theneural signal, and a relatively larger amount of power (for example,tens of milliwatts (mW)) is consumed by an operation that generates andoutputs the stimulus signal and outputs the stimulus signal to the user.Thus, using the power stored in the internal battery, the low-powerdevice 110 acquires the neural signal and determines whether thestimulus is required based on the neural signal. Using the powerwirelessly transmitted from the external device 120, the low-powerdevice 110 generates the stimulus signal and outputs the stimulus signalto the user.

In an example, the neural signal includes various bioelectrical signals,such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal or an electroencephalogram(EEG) signal. When the neural signal is an ECG signal, the low-powerdevice 110 monitors an ECG signal of the user using the power in theinternal battery. In this example, when an arrhythmia is detected, thelow-power device 110 generates a stimulus signal and outputs thestimulus signal to the user, using the power wirelessly transmitted fromthe external device 120, to adjust a heart rate of the user.

When the neural signal is an EEG signal, the low-power device 110monitors an EEG signal of the user using the power in the internalbattery. In this example, when symptoms of epilepsy are detected, thelow-power device 110 generates a stimulus signal and outputs thestimulus signal to the user, using the power wirelessly transmitted fromthe external device 120, to suppress the symptoms.

In another example, the low-power device 110 is an Internet of things(IoT) device (for example, a fresh food monitoring device) capable ofperforming wireless communication. The low-power device 110 acquiresmeasurement data for an environment in which the low-power device 110 islocated, and transmits the acquired measurement data to the externaldevice 120.

In this example, a small amount of power (for example, tens of μW) isconsumed by an operation that acquires the measurement data, and a largeamount of power (for example, tens of mW) is consumed by an operationthat transmits the measurement data to the external device 120. Thus,the low-power device 110 acquires the measurement data using the powerstored in the internal battery, and transmits the measurement data tothe external device 120 using power wirelessly transmitted from theexternal device 120.

In an example, the measurement data includes physical sensor data, forexample, a temperature, a humidity and an intensity of illumination, anultrasonic wave, a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a radar, a location,a motion or an image in association with the environment in which thelow-power device 110 is located. The low-power device 110 collects themeasurement data periodically or based on an event, using the power inthe internal battery, and stores the collected measurement data in arandom access memory (RAM) or a flash memory that is included in thelow-power device 110.

The external device 120, for example, is a power source deviceconfigured to provide power to the low-power device 110 via a wirelesstransmission. The external device 120 is implemented as variousproducts, for example, a wearable device, a portable battery, a tabletcomputer or a smartphone that is capable of wirelessly transmittingpower.

A bidirectional wireless data link and a unidirectional wireless powerlink is set between the low-power device 110 and the external device120. Via the bidirectional wireless data link, the low-power device 110transmits, to the external device 120, measurement data or a request forwireless power transmission, or receives a request for measurement data.Via the unidirectional wireless power link, the low-power device 110receives the power wirelessly transmitted from the external device 120.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a low-power device210 and an external device 220.

The low-power device 210 is a medical device implanted in a body of auser, and includes a monitoring block 211 and a stimulating block 213.

In the monitoring block 211, a neural signal of a user is acquiredthrough a neural interface 211-5, and power of about tens of μW isconsumed. The neural interface 211-5 is an electrode that may be indirect contact with a body of the user, and a sensing analog front-end(AFE) is an AFE configured to acquire the neural signal via the neuralinterface 211-5. The sensing AFE 211-4 acquires the neural signal byconverting an analog electrical signal input to the neural interface211-5 into a digital signal based on the impedance and dynamic range ofthe neural interface 211-5. The electrical signal input to the neuralinterface 211-5 is an extremely weak signal, and accordingly the sensingAFE 211-4 is a type of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that mayaccurately measure an extremely weak signal.

A first processor 211-3 is a microcontroller unit (MCU) configured todetermine whether the neural signal acquired by the sensing AFE 211-4 isin a normal state. For example, the first processor 211-3 determineswhether a waveform of the neural signal corresponds to a normalwaveform. When the neural signal is determined not to be in the normalstate, the first processor 211-3 determines that a wireless powertransmission from the external device 220 is required. When the neuralsignal is determined to be in the normal state, the first processor211-3 continues to monitor the neural signal.

A first wireless radio frequency (RF) transceiver 211-2 exchanges datawith a second wireless RF transceiver 220-4 of the external device 220via a wireless communication link. When the first processor 211-3determines that the wireless power transmission from the external device220 is required, the first wireless RF transceiver 211-2 transmits arequest for wireless power transmission to the external device 220. Forexample, the first wireless RF transceiver 211-2 performs a wirelesscommunication with the second wireless RF transceiver 220-4 of theexternal device 220 via a medical implant communication service (MICS),a near field communication (NFC) or an RF.

A predetermined amount of power is required to perform the wirelesscommunication of the first wireless RF transceiver 211-2; however, thepower may not be immediately available from a first battery. Thus, thepower needed to perform the wireless communication is accumulated in thefirst battery and a first super capacitor 211-6, sequentially, beforethe first wireless RF transceiver 211-2 performs the wirelesscommunication using the power stored in the first super capacitor 211-6.

The first battery is an internal battery of the low-power device 210 andis configured to supply power to operate the monitoring block 211. Also,the first battery is charged using power wirelessly transmitted from theexternal device 220 by a first battery management unit (BMU). In oneexample, the first BMU 211-7 is a subminiature battery, for example, afilm battery, a solid state battery or a chip battery. The first BMU211-7 monitors a charge state of the first battery, and charges thefirst battery with the power wirelessly transmitted from the externaldevice 220 when the power stored in the first battery is reduced to beequal to or less than a predetermine threshold during monitoring.

The second wireless RF transceiver 220-4 of the external device 220receives the request for wireless power transmission from the firstwireless RF transceiver 211-2 of the low-power device 210. The secondwireless RF transceiver 220-4 performs the wireless communication withthe first wireless RF transceiver 211-2 via the MICS, the NFC or the RF.

A second processor 220-3 verifies the request for wireless powertransmission received from the low-power device 210. In one example, thesecond processor 220-3 is an MCU configured to verify whether therequest for wireless power transmission is a normal request.

When the request for wireless power transmission is determined to be anormal request, the second processor 220-3 provides a user with amessage to move the external device 220 closer or near the low-powerdevice 210. For example, the second processor 220-3 displays the messageon a display of the external device 220, or outputs the message as anaudio signal and/or in a predetermined oscillation pattern.

A wireless power transmitter 220-1 is, for example, a circuit configuredto supply power to a wireless power transfer (WPT) antenna 214 for awireless power transmission. The wireless power transmitter 220-1receives a power stored in the second battery 215 via a second BMU 220-2and performs a wireless power transmission.

The external device 220 is attached external to a body of a user, or isadhered to or brought into proximity of a surface body whenever theexternal device 220 is required to wirelessly transmit power to thelow-power device 210.

In the stimulating block 213, the low-power device 210 outputs astimulus signal to a user, and a power of about tens of mW is consumed.A wireless power receiver 213-2 receives power that is wirelesslytransmitted by the wireless power transmitter 220-1. In one example, thewireless power receiver 213-2 includes a circuit, for example, arectifier, configured to receive power that is wirelessly transmitted.

A second super capacitor 213-3 is charged with the power received by thewireless power receiver 213-2. The second super capacitor 213-3 ischarged until the power of the second super capacitor 213-3 reaches apredetermined power threshold. When the power of the second supercapacitor 213-3 reaches a power threshold, a driving AFE 213-4 isoperated by supplying power to the driving AFE 213-4.

The driving AFE 213-4 generates a stimulus signal using power stored inthe second super capacitor 213-3 and outputs the stimulus signal to theuser via a neural interface 213-5. The driving AFE 213-4 generates astimulus signal based on the impedance and the dynamic range of theneural interface 213-5. The driving AFE 213-4 is a type of one or moredigital-to-analog converters (DACs) configured to convert a digitalstimulus signal into an analog signal. The driving AFE 213-4 includes,for example, a nerve stimulator, a heart stimulator, or a brainwavestimulator.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an operating method of a low-powerdevice corresponding to a medical device.

In operation 310, the low-power device initializes blocks included inthe low-power device. For example, the low-power device initializes anoperating speed of a processor and a gain of a sensing AFE 211-4.

In operation 320, the low-power device acquires a neural signal usingthe sensing AFE 211-4. The low-power device acquires the neural signalperiodically or based on an event. The neural signal includes, forexample, an ECG signal or an EEG signal. In an example, the low-powerdevice acquires neural signals at predetermined intervals. In anotherexample, the low-power device acquires neural signals every time apredetermined event (for example, a sudden change in a neural signal)occurs.

In operation 330, the low-power device performs an alarm detectionalgorithm based on the neural signal. An alarm indicates that the neuralsignal is in an abnormal state. The low-power device detects an alarm bydetermining whether the neural signal is in a normal state.

In operation 340, the low-power device determines whether the alarm isdetected. For example, when the neural signal is determined to be in thenormal state, that is, when the alarm is not detected, the low-powerdevice acquires a neural signal again in operation 320.

When the neural signal is determined to be in the abnormal state, thatis, when the alarm is detected, the low-power device transmits a requestfor wireless power transmission to an external device via a wirelesscommunication in operation 350. When the request for wireless powertransmission is received, the external device wirelessly transmits powerto the low-power device.

In operation 360, the low-power device charges a super capacitor withthe power wirelessly transmitted from the external device, anddetermines whether power stored in the super capacitor through thecharging exceeds a predetermined power threshold. In an example, whenthe power stored in the super capacitor does not exceed the powerthreshold, the low-power device waits for a predetermined amount of timein operation 370. When the predetermined amount of time elapses, thelow-power device determines, again, whether the power stored in thesuper capacitor exceeds the power threshold.

In another example, when the power stored in the super capacitor exceedsthe power threshold, the low-power device operates a driving AFE 213-4using the power stored in the super capacitor, generates a stimulussignal, and outputs the stimulus signal via a neural interface 213-5 inoperation 380.

In operation 390, the low-power device determines whether a number oftimes the stimulus signal is output is equal to a predetermined numberN. In an example, when the number of times the stimulus signal is outputis less than N, the low-power device outputs the stimulus signal againin operation 380. In another example, when the number of times thestimulus signal is output is equal to N, the low-power device terminatesa stimulation mode, and operates in a neural signal monitoring modeagain.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a low-power device410 and an external device 420.

The low-power device 410 is an IoT device capable of performing awireless communication, and includes a monitoring block 411 and areporting block 413.

The monitoring block 411 acquires measurement data in an environmentwhere the low-power device 410 is located, and consumes power of abouttens of μW. A sensing AFE 411-4 acquires, as the measurement data,physical sensor data that may include any one or any combination of anytwo or more of a temperature, a humidity, an intensity of illumination,an ultrasonic wave, an SAR, a radar, a location, a motion or an image inassociation with the environment in which the low-power device 410 islocated. The sensing AFE 411-4 acquires the measurement dataperiodically or based on an event. In an example, the sensing AFE 411-4acquires the measurement data at predetermined intervals. In anotherexample, the sensing AFE 411-4 acquires the measurement data every timea predetermined event (for example, a sudden change in the temperature,the humidity, the intensity of illumination, the ultrasonic wave, theSAR, the radar, the location, the motion or the image) occurs.

A first processor 411-3 stores, in an internal memory, measurement datacollected by the sensing AFE 411-4. Also, when power is wirelesslyreceived from the external device 420 or when power together with arequest for the measurement data are wirelessly received from theexternal device 420, the first processor 411-3 instructs the low-powerdevice 410 to wirelessly transmit the measurement data stored in theinternal memory.

The sensing AFE 411-4 and the first processor 411-3 operate using afirst battery 411-2. The first battery 411-2 is an internal batteryincluded in the low-power device 410. A first BMU 411-1 charges thefirst battery 411-2 with power wirelessly transmitted from the externaldevice 420, based on a charge state of the first battery 411-2.

In the reporting block 413, the measurement data is transmitted to theexternal device 420 via a wireless communication, and power of abouttens of mW is consumed. A wireless power receiver 413-2 receives thepower wirelessly transmitted from the external device 420. The powerreceived by the wireless power receiver 413-2 is used to charge a supercapacitor 413-3.

When power stored in the super capacitor 413-3 exceeds a predeterminedthreshold voltage or power, a first wireless RF transceiver 413-5transmits the measurement data to a second wireless RF transceiver 420-4of the external device 420, using the power stored in the supercapacitor 413-3. The first wireless RF transceiver 413-5 transmits themeasurement data to the second wireless RF transceiver 420-4 of theexternal device 420, via various wireless communication links, forexample, a Bluetooth link, a ZigBee link, or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi)link.

The above description is also applicable to the low-power device 410 andthe external device 420, and accordingly is not repeated here.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controllingpower on a low-power device.

The method of FIG. 5 is performed, for example, by a processor of thelow-power device.

Referring to FIG. 5, in operation 510, the low-power device acquiressensing data using power stored in an internal battery of the low-powerdevice. In an example, when the low-power device is a medical device,the sensing data includes a neural signal of a user. In another example,when the low-power device is an IoT device, the sensing data includesmeasurement data for an environment in which the low-power device islocated.

In operation 520, the low-power device performs an operation thatconsumes greater amount of power than that consumed by the acquiring ofthe sensing data, using power wirelessly transmitted from an externaldevice.

In an example, when the low-power device is a medical device, and whenit is determined that a stimulus signal needs to be output to a userbased on the neural signal, the low-power device outputs a stimulussignal generated using the power wirelessly transmitted from theexternal device. In this example, the stimulus signal is generatedindependently of the power stored in the internal battery. In otherwords, when the low-power device generates the stimulus signal, thepower stored in the internal battery is not used.

Also, the low-power device stores, in a super capacitor, the powerwirelessly transmitted from the external device. When the power storedin the super capacitor exceeds a predetermined power threshold, thelow-power device outputs a stimulus signal generated using the powerstored in the super capacitor.

In another example, when the low-power device is an IoT device, thelow-power device transmits measurement data to the external device usingthe power wirelessly transmitted from the external device. Also, thelow-power device stores, in a super capacitor, the power wirelesslytransmitted from the external device. When the power stored in the supercapacitor exceeds a predetermined power threshold, the low-power devicetransmits the measurement data to the external device using the powerstored in the super capacitor.

The above description of FIGS. 1 through 4 is also applicable to themethod of FIG. 5, and accordingly is not repeated here.

The low-power devices 110, 210 and 410, the external devices 120, 220and 420, and other apparatuses, units, modules, devices, and othercomponents described herein with respect to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 areimplemented by hardware components. Examples of hardware components thatmay be used to perform the operations described in this applicationwhere appropriate include controllers, sensors, generators, drivers,memories, comparators, arithmetic logic units, adders, subtractors,multipliers, dividers, integrators, and any other electronic componentsconfigured to perform the operations described in this application. Inother examples, one or more of the hardware components that perform theoperations described in this application are implemented by computinghardware, for example, by one or more processors or computers. Aprocessor or computer may be implemented by one or more processingelements, such as an array of logic gates, a controller and anarithmetic logic unit, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, aprogrammable logic controller, a field-programmable gate array, aprogrammable logic array, a microprocessor, or any other device orcombination of devices that is configured to respond to and executeinstructions in a defined manner to achieve a desired result. In oneexample, a processor or computer includes, or is connected to, one ormore memories storing instructions or software that are executed by theprocessor or computer. Hardware components implemented by a processor orcomputer may execute instructions or software, such as an operatingsystem (OS) and one or more software applications that run on the OS, toperform the operations described in this application. The hardwarecomponents may also access, manipulate, process, create, and store datain response to execution of the instructions or software. Forsimplicity, the singular term “processor” or “computer” may be used inthe description of the examples described in this application, but inother examples multiple processors or computers may be used, or aprocessor or computer may include multiple processing elements, ormultiple types of processing elements, or both. For example, a singlehardware component or two or more hardware components may be implementedby a single processor, or two or more processors, or a processor and acontroller. One or more hardware components may be implemented by one ormore processors, or a processor and a controller, and one or more otherhardware components may be implemented by one or more other processors,or another processor and another controller. One or more processors, ora processor and a controller, may implement a single hardware component,or two or more hardware components. A hardware component may have anyone or more of different processing configurations, examples of whichinclude a single processor, independent processors, parallel processors,single-instruction single-data (SISD) multiprocessing,single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) multiprocessing,multiple-instruction single-data (MISD) multiprocessing, andmultiple-instruction multiple-data (MIMD) multiprocessing.

The methods illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 that perform the operationsdescribed in this application are performed by computing hardware, forexample, by one or more processors or computers, implemented asdescribed above executing instructions or software to perform theoperations described in this application that are performed by themethods. For example, a single operation or two or more operations maybe performed by a single processor, or two or more processors, or aprocessor and a controller. One or more operations may be performed byone or more processors, or a processor and a controller, and one or moreother operations may be performed by one or more other processors, oranother processor and another controller. One or more processors, or aprocessor and a controller, may perform a single operation, or two ormore operations.

Instructions or software to control computing hardware, for example, oneor more processors or computers, to implement the hardware componentsand perform the methods as described above may be written as computerprograms, code segments, instructions or any combination thereof, forindividually or collectively instructing or configuring the one or moreprocessors or computers to operate as a machine or special-purposecomputer to perform the operations that are performed by the hardwarecomponents and the methods as described above. In one example, theinstructions or software include machine code that is directly executedby the one or more processors or computers, such as machine codeproduced by a compiler. In another example, the instructions or softwareincludes higher-level code that is executed by the one or moreprocessors or computer using an interpreter. The instructions orsoftware may be written using any programming language based on theblock diagrams and the flow charts illustrated in the drawings and thecorresponding descriptions in the specification, which disclosealgorithms for performing the operations that are performed by thehardware components and the methods as described above.

The instructions or software to control computing hardware, for example,one or more processors or computers, to implement the hardwarecomponents and perform the methods as described above, and anyassociated data, data files, and data structures, may be recorded,stored, or fixed in or on one or more non-transitory computer-readablestorage media. Examples of a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access programmable readonly memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), random-access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory(DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), flash memory, non-volatilememory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-RWs, CD+RWs, DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs,DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, blue-rayor optical disk storage, hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD),flash memory, a card type memory such as multimedia card micro or a card(for example, secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD)), magnetictapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical data storage devices, optical datastorage devices, hard disks, solid-state disks, and any other devicethat is configured to store the instructions or software and anyassociated data, data files, and data structures in a non-transitorymanner and provide the instructions or software and any associated data,data files, and data structures to one or more processors or computersso that the one or more processors or computers can execute theinstructions. In one example, the instructions or software and anyassociated data, data files, and data structures are distributed overnetwork-coupled computer systems so that the instructions and softwareand any associated data, data files, and data structures are stored,accessed, and executed in a distributed fashion by the one or moreprocessors or computers.

While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparentafter an understanding of the disclosure of this application thatvarious changes in form and details may be made in these exampleswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and theirequivalents. The examples described herein are to be considered in adescriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptionsof features or aspects in each example are to be considered as beingapplicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitableresults may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in adifferent order, and/or if components in a described system,architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner,and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or theirequivalents. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not bythe detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents, andall variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents areto be construed as being included in the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A processor-implemented method of controllingpower in a low-power device, comprising: performing a first operation,of acquiring sensing data, using power stored in an internal battery ofthe low-power device, wherein the first operation consumes a first powerconsumption from the internal battery; and performing a secondoperation, with respect to the acquired sensing data, and which consumesa second power consumption, using power wirelessly transmitted from anexternal device located outside of the low-power device, wherein thesecond power consumption is greater than the first power consumption. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing data comprises a neuralsignal of a user, wherein the method further comprises determining,based on the neural signal, whether to generate a stimulus signal to theuser, and wherein the performing of the second operation comprises,dependent on a result of the determining, generating the stimulus signalusing the power wirelessly transmitted from the external device andoutputting the generated stimulus signal to a body of the user.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the generating of the stimulus signal isperformed independent of the power stored in the internal battery. 4.The method of claim 2, wherein the performing of the second operationcomprises storing the power wirelessly transmitted from the externaldevice in a super capacitor, and outputting the stimulus signalgenerated using the power stored in the super capacitor in response tothe power stored in the super capacitor exceeding a predetermined powerthreshold.
 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising: transmitting,dependent on the result of the determining, a request for wireless powertransmission to the external device via a wireless communication.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein, in response to the request for wirelesspower transmission being received from the low-power device, theexternal device provides the user with a message to position theexternal device in proximity to the low-power device for the wirelesspower transmission.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the low-powerdevice is anatomically implanted in the user.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the sensing data comprises measurement data for an environmentin which the low-power device is located, and the performing of thesecond operation comprises transmitting the measurement data to theexternal device using the power wirelessly transmitted from the externaldevice.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the performing of the secondoperation comprises storing the power wirelessly transmitted from theexternal device in a super capacitor, and transmitting the measurementdata to the external device using the power stored in the supercapacitor in response to the power stored in the super capacitorexceeding a predetermined power threshold.
 10. The method of claim 8,wherein the performing of the second operation comprises, in response topower being wirelessly received from the external device or acombination of power and a request for the measurement data beingwirelessly received from the external device, transmitting themeasurement data to the external device.
 11. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, whenexecuted by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method ofclaim
 1. 12. A low-power device comprising: a processor configured to:perform a first operation, of acquiring sensing data, using a sensorthat operates using power stored in an internal battery of the low-powerdevice, wherein the first operation consumes a first power consumptionfrom the internal battery; and instruct the low-power device to performa second operation, with respect to the acquired sensing data, and whichconsumes a second power consumption using power wirelessly transmittedfrom an external device located outside of the low-power device, whereinthe second power consumption is greater than the first powerconsumption.
 13. The low-power device of claim 12, wherein the sensingdata comprises a neural signal of a user, wherein the processor isfurther configured to determine, based on the neural signal, whether togenerate a stimulus signal to the user, and wherein, dependent on aresult of the determine, the processor is further configured to instructthe low-power device to output the stimulus signal generated using thepower wirelessly transmitted from the external device.
 14. The low-powerdevice of claim 13, wherein the generation of the stimulus signal isperformed independent of the power stored in the internal battery. 15.The low-power device of claim 13, further comprising: a super capacitorconfigured to store the power wirelessly transmitted from the externaldevice, wherein, in response to the power stored in the super capacitorexceeding a predetermined power threshold, the processor is furtherconfigured to instruct the low-power device to output the stimulussignal generated using the power stored in the super capacitor.
 16. Thelow-power device of claim 13, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to transmit a request for wireless power transmission to theexternal device through a wireless communication in response to thedetermination.
 17. The low-power device of claim 13, wherein thelow-power device is anatomically implanted in the user.
 18. Thelow-power device of claim 12, wherein the sensing data comprisesmeasurement data for an environment in which the low-power device islocated, and the processor is further configured to instruct thelow-power device to transmit the measurement data to the external deviceusing the power wirelessly transmitted from the external device.
 19. Thelow-power device of claim 12, further comprising a memory configured tostore instructions; wherein the processor is further configured toexecute the instructions to configure the processor to: perform thefirst operation, of acquiring sensing data, using the sensor thatoperates using power stored in the internal battery of the low-powerdevice, wherein the first operation consumes the first power consumptionfrom the internal battery; and instruct the low-power device to performthe second operation, with respect to the acquired sensing data, andwhich consumes the second power consumption using power wirelesslytransmitted from the external device located outside of the low-powerdevice, wherein the second power consumption is greater than the firstpower consumption.
 20. A low-power device, comprising: a processorconfigured to: perform operations, having respective power consumptionsless than or equal to a power threshold, using an internal battery ofthe low-power device; and perform any of the operations havingrespective power consumptions greater than the power threshold usingpower wirelessly transmitted from an external device external to thelow-power device.
 21. The low-power of claim 20, wherein the operationscomprises acquiring or generating any one or any combination of any twoor more of a neural signal, a stimulus signal, a physical sensor dataand a measurement data.